Method and Apparatus for Real-Time Analysis of Chemical, Biological and Explosive Substances in the Air

Abstract

A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.

1 . Process for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological, explosive and/or radioactive substances in the air, said process comprising:
 UV laser irradiation of a sample in a multireflection cell;   ionization of the sample to detect charge, mobility and wavelength;   fluorescence measurement of the sample to detect color, duration and wavelength;   backscatter measurement of the sample to detect particle number and size; and   identification of said substances based on results of said ionization, fluorescence measurement and backscatter measurement steps.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein an evaluation unit detects sensor signals generated in said ionization, fluorescence measurement and backscatter measurement steps, and determines presence of dangerous substances by means of an evaluation algorithm. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the evaluation algorithm determines presence of dangerous substances according to evaluating steps of
 A,B,C present=all dangerous substances,   A,B present=bacterial spores,   A,C present=toxic suspended substances,   A present=non-organic particles,   B,C present=organic toxic VOS,   B present=virus,   C present=organic and non-organic VCs;   
       wherein A represents ionization, B represents presence of fluorescence and C represents presence of backscatter.